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With today being media day, I am sure we will see some stories hitting the web about our Jackrabbits. Here are highlights from the first one I have found. From the Aberdeen American News:
http://www.aberdeennews.com/mld/aber...s/12350895.htm
Posted on Wed, Aug. 10, 2005
SDSU ready to kick off season
ERIC BOLIN
Associated Press
BROOKINGS, S.D. - There's a reason for the aura of optimism and confidence in Jackrabbit country.
After a 6-5 record in their first year at the NCAA Division I level, the players and coaches at South Dakota State University are looking forward to playing with a year of D-I experience under their belt.
"We used to go in unsure, but now we have to be confident," said Anthony Watson. "There's nothing we can do if we're not confident."
The junior running back has reason to be confident.
Watson was listed by the Great West Football Conference Web site as the preseason offensive player of the year.
Despite the praise, he doesn't let the accolades go to his head. A recurring theme on the Jacks' squad is the team game. From the head coach to star running back, down to the first-time starting quarterback, the Jackrabbits preach a team concept.
"It's nice to have a compliment, but you can't let it get to your head. If it wasn't for the team and my blockers, I wouldn't be there," said Watson.
Joining Watson on the GWFC preseason first team are senior wide receiver Josh Davis and junior offensive lineman Taylor Murray.
Davis and Murray will be catching and protecting a new quarterback this season.
Andy Kardoes takes the reins from the now-graduated Brad Nelson. He brings a different style of signal-calling, said head coach John Stiegelmeier.
Kardoes can run out of the pocket and have running plays called specifically for him. And that ability has Davis excited.
"He's able to make something out of nothing," Davis said. "It's great as a receiver, I like to get behind the defense. With Andy back there, I can."
With plenty of offensive firepower returning, the Jacks also have added confidence with a schedule that falls in their favor. Seven games at Coughlin-Alumni Stadium in Brookings and one at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls give the Jacks a chance to play in front of the home crowd.
Senior cornerback Hank McCall said playing in front of friends and family helps the team play more intense.
"It's great. There's nothing like playing in front of your friends and family. With the big-time crowd we have, it's going to be a lot of fun," he said.
McCall is another reason the Jacks think they have a chance to compete for the conference championship. He earned second-team all-GWFC honors last season, and is on this year's preseason first team.
The Jacks return all four members of the defensive secondary, and two all-conference honorable mention selections in senior defensive linemen Gabe Koenigsfeld and D.J. Fischer. . . .
SDSU travels to Missoula on Sept. 17 to take on the defending national IAA runners-up, the Montana Grizzlies. But Stiegelmeier said the senior leadership will have a major impact on the season.
"If we have a guy walking around excited about going to Missoula, our seniors have to let him know there's only one reason to be there, and that's to win a football game," he said.
Although SDSU has the benefit of playing a majority of games in front of the home folks, they still take on five preseason top 25 squads.
Besides playing the No. 3 ranked Grizzlies in Missoula, the Jackrabbits will travel to No. 22 ranked North Dakota State and No. 23 ranked Texas State. SDSU faces sixth-ranked Georgia Southern and 17th-ranked Cal Poly in Brookings.
Traveling to San Marcos, Texas, and Missoula, Mont., shouldn't be a problem for the Jacks. Last year, they went to Baton Rouge, La. and beat Southern University.
With the confidence of being able to play on the road, and the fortune of playing essentially eight home games, the Jacks know the goal this season is a conference championship. And Davis said he's ready for the improvement.
"Six and five isn't good enough. We want a championship."
Go State! ;D
http://www.aberdeennews.com/mld/aber...s/12350895.htm
Posted on Wed, Aug. 10, 2005
SDSU ready to kick off season
ERIC BOLIN
Associated Press
BROOKINGS, S.D. - There's a reason for the aura of optimism and confidence in Jackrabbit country.
After a 6-5 record in their first year at the NCAA Division I level, the players and coaches at South Dakota State University are looking forward to playing with a year of D-I experience under their belt.
"We used to go in unsure, but now we have to be confident," said Anthony Watson. "There's nothing we can do if we're not confident."
The junior running back has reason to be confident.
Watson was listed by the Great West Football Conference Web site as the preseason offensive player of the year.
Despite the praise, he doesn't let the accolades go to his head. A recurring theme on the Jacks' squad is the team game. From the head coach to star running back, down to the first-time starting quarterback, the Jackrabbits preach a team concept.
"It's nice to have a compliment, but you can't let it get to your head. If it wasn't for the team and my blockers, I wouldn't be there," said Watson.
Joining Watson on the GWFC preseason first team are senior wide receiver Josh Davis and junior offensive lineman Taylor Murray.
Davis and Murray will be catching and protecting a new quarterback this season.
Andy Kardoes takes the reins from the now-graduated Brad Nelson. He brings a different style of signal-calling, said head coach John Stiegelmeier.
Kardoes can run out of the pocket and have running plays called specifically for him. And that ability has Davis excited.
"He's able to make something out of nothing," Davis said. "It's great as a receiver, I like to get behind the defense. With Andy back there, I can."
With plenty of offensive firepower returning, the Jacks also have added confidence with a schedule that falls in their favor. Seven games at Coughlin-Alumni Stadium in Brookings and one at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls give the Jacks a chance to play in front of the home crowd.
Senior cornerback Hank McCall said playing in front of friends and family helps the team play more intense.
"It's great. There's nothing like playing in front of your friends and family. With the big-time crowd we have, it's going to be a lot of fun," he said.
McCall is another reason the Jacks think they have a chance to compete for the conference championship. He earned second-team all-GWFC honors last season, and is on this year's preseason first team.
The Jacks return all four members of the defensive secondary, and two all-conference honorable mention selections in senior defensive linemen Gabe Koenigsfeld and D.J. Fischer. . . .
SDSU travels to Missoula on Sept. 17 to take on the defending national IAA runners-up, the Montana Grizzlies. But Stiegelmeier said the senior leadership will have a major impact on the season.
"If we have a guy walking around excited about going to Missoula, our seniors have to let him know there's only one reason to be there, and that's to win a football game," he said.
Although SDSU has the benefit of playing a majority of games in front of the home folks, they still take on five preseason top 25 squads.
Besides playing the No. 3 ranked Grizzlies in Missoula, the Jackrabbits will travel to No. 22 ranked North Dakota State and No. 23 ranked Texas State. SDSU faces sixth-ranked Georgia Southern and 17th-ranked Cal Poly in Brookings.
Traveling to San Marcos, Texas, and Missoula, Mont., shouldn't be a problem for the Jacks. Last year, they went to Baton Rouge, La. and beat Southern University.
With the confidence of being able to play on the road, and the fortune of playing essentially eight home games, the Jacks know the goal this season is a conference championship. And Davis said he's ready for the improvement.
"Six and five isn't good enough. We want a championship."
Go State! ;D
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